Primitive Fathers

(The). The five Christian fathers supposed to be
contemporary with the Apostles: viz. Clement of Rome (30-102);
Barnabas, cousin of Mark the Evangelist, and schoolfellow of Paul the
Apostle; Hermas, author of The Shepherd, Ignatius, martyred A.D.
115; and Polycarp (85-169).

The first two Epistles to the Corinthians are probably by
Clement Romanus, but everything else ascribed to him is undoubtedly
spurious.

The epistle ascribed to Barrabas is of very doubtful authenticity.

Hermas,

- It is very doubtful whether this is a proper name at all; and, if
a proper name, many think it is a Hermas in the second century, brother
of Pius I.

Polycarp, some say, was a pupil of John the Evangelist, by whom he
was made Bishop of Smyrna, addressed in the Revelation: but if the
Revelation was written in 96, Polycarp was not eleven years old at the
time, and could not possibly have been a bishop. It is extremely
doubtful whether he knew the Evangelist at all, and certainly he did
not know either the Fourth Gospel or the Book of the Revelation.